Police Question Shinsegae Executive Over Starbucks' Controversial 'Tank Day' Promotion

South Korean police are actively investigating the controversial 'Tank Day' promotion by Starbucks, which has drawn accusations of insulting victims of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. On June 17, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency summoned Yang Jong-wan, the audit team leader at Shinsegae Group, as a witness for questioning.

Yang Jong-wan was previously involved in presenting Shinsegae Group's internal investigation findings on May 26, following an apology from Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin. The internal probe, conducted by Shinsegae Group from May 19, focused on the Starbucks Korea Commerce Team and related personnel.

Shinsegae Group's investigation concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove intentional insult. However, the investigation encountered significant hurdles, including a planning executive's refusal to submit their mobile phone, which limited the scope of the inquiry.

The controversy erupted when Starbucks Korea launched a promotion on May 18, the 46th anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising. The promotion featured 'tank series' tumblers and used phrases such as '5/18,' 'Tank Day,' and 'On the desk,' which critics argued were deeply disrespectful to the historical significance of the Gwangju Uprising.